NAACP: Sterling Sanctions Are ‘Welcomed And Supported’

The NAACP praised the National Basketball Association’s decision Tuesday to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and seek to strip him of his ownership.

“The NAACP is pleased the NBA is taking swift and strong action against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racist and offensive remarks,” the group said in a statement.

The scope of the sanctions — lifetime ban, maximum $2.5 million fine and a vote to remove Sterling as an owner — “is both welcomed and supported,” it said.

The NAACP’s Los Angeles chapter had attracted questions after Sterling’s racially charged remarks were reported because it had been planning to give him a lifetime achievement award. After the remarks became public, the branch chose not to give him the award.